Al Marotta's roots in the South End run deep. That's far from a figurative observation. One of Marotta's passions, and the former city councilman and state representative has many, is tending the fig tree his father, Salvatore, planted at his childhood home on Preston Street.

That was about 1950, when the Sicilian expat rose early every morning to sell fruits and vegetables out of push carts on Front and State streets. Marotta still has the wheels from those carts, heavy, sturdy chunks of metal and wood. To the right collectors, they're worth a small fortune.

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Source: http://www.courant.com/